Vertical tail of the F-35 JSF (photo : JSF)Australian precision engineering company Marand has manufactured the first Australian made vertical tail for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSF).Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator Michael Ronaldson, representing the Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston, attended an event today at Marand’s Moorabbin premises marking the milestone.Speaking from Perth, Defence Minister David Johnston, praised the involvement of Marand, a wholly-owned Australian company, in the production of the world’s most advanced war plane.“This truly is a great success story for our aero-space industry here in Victoria,” Senator Johnston said.“The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will provide the Royal Australian Air Force with genuine 5th Generation capability and ensure it retains a regional leading edge air combat readiness.” .Senator Ronaldson said the milestone reflected positively on Australian industry know-how and ingenuity more generally.“Melbourne-based Marand and its supply chain are commencing production of up to 722 sets of vertical tails for the F-35, which will be fitted to the F-35s of United States and other F-35 partner nations.“The manufacture and delivery of the vertical tails is expected to generate around $1 billion of revenue and employ 200 staff at Marand through the life of the program.“With the commitment and support of Lockheed Martin and Pratt and Whitney, a steady F-35 production ramp up, a continuing favourable Australian dollar and a ‘sharp pencil’ by Australian industry, I expect Australian industry do very well on the F-35 program over many years.”Senator Ronaldson said there were several other significant opportunities for Australian industry, including making composite panels for the fuselage of the F-35, weapons carriers, decoy flares, and other components.“Some 30 Australian companies have been directly involved in the F-35 program to date, and more than $355 million in production orders have been won with only 2-3 per cent of aircraft production completed to date,” he said.The Government expects that Australia’s commitment to purchase any further aircraft will be reciprocated by a commitment from Lockheed Martin to increase these large opportunities for Australian Industry.“Given the stability of the F-35 program, the Australian Government expects Lockheed Martin to enter into long-term contracts with Australian Industry including Marand, to provide further certainty for Australian industry and to allow future cost reductions,” Senator Ronaldson said.Australia’s first two JSF aircraft are on the production line and are due to be delivered in the second half of 2014.Following a period of acceptance activities, pilot training will begin in the United States.From 2018 the Australian Defence Force will commence ferry flights of JSF aircraft to Australia.(Aus DoD)

PAF OV-10 Bronco aircraft (photo : Matsura21)DND in the Market for 6 Close-Air Support AircraftMANILA (PNA) -- The Department of National Defense (DND) is in the market for six units of close-air support (CAS) aircraft to augment the existing North American Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack plane being operated by the Philippine Air Force (PAF).This was confirmed by DND undersecretary for finance, modernization, installations, and munitions Fernando Manalo during the sidelights of the P18.9-billion F/A-50 contract signing Friday.He said the DND is looking at the possibility of acquiring the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano.The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter-insurgency, close-air support, aerial reconnaissance missions in low threat environments, as well as providing pilot training.Designed to operate in high temperature and humidity conditions in extremely rugged terrain, the Super Tucano is highly maneuverable, has a low heat signature, incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons system to deliver precision guided munitions, Manalo said. (PNA)

Hawk medium range SAM (photo : pdff)MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of National Defense (DND) is looking at the possibility of acquiring improved and enhanced versions of the Raytheon MIM-23 HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).The HAWK is a US medium range SAM.The DND stated that acquisition of this weapon aims to protect the country from air threats its shore-to-ship missile (SSM) launchers which it is planning to acquire for the Philippine Army at P6.5 billion.The SSM project consists of 12 launchers, trailers and tracking systems and missiles that could be fired to hit naval or sea targets.It will be carried out through “limited source bidding", a process where certain companies are invited to submit bids for the program.The HAWK is capable of intercepting and destroying any hostile aircraft, drone, or rocket that may be sent to incapacitate or disabled the Army's SSM system.It was initially designed to destroy aircraft and was later adapted to destroy other missiles in flight.The missile entered service in 1960, and a program of extensive upgrades has kept it from becoming obsolete.Israel, one of the operators of the HAWK missile, have upgraded the Phase 2 standard with the addition of a Super Eye electro-optical TV system for detection of aircraft at 30 to 40 kilometers and identification at 17 to 25 kilometers.They have also modified their system for engagements at altitudes up to 24,000 meters. (PNA)

RAN MH-60R ASW helicopter (photo : Lockheed Martin)NOWRA, New South Wales, Australia - The Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo) — a Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin joint venture company — on March, 26 broke ground to build the maintenance and warehouse facilities that will provide Through Life Support logistics services for the Royal Australian Navy’s new fleet of 24 MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopters. Once completed in early 2015, the two buildings, totaling more than 11,400 square meters (120,000 square feet), will house as many as 120 personnel with the knowledge and ability to keep the fleet in peak flight readiness during its estimated 30-year lifespan.“Excavation and construction of these Through Life Support buildings begin an important chapter for the long-term readiness of Australia’s most sophisticated maritime helicopter,” said Rod Skotty, President of MHSCo. “Our company’s experience supplying repaired parts for more than 500 U.S. Navy H-60 maritime helicopters around the world will directly carry over to a larger business model specially configured for Australia’s maritime helicopter needs, and carried out by skilled Australian technicians and administrators inside a modern, dedicated space.”Sited at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park, adjacent to the Royal Australian Navy’s MH-60R operational squadron facilities at the Naval Air Station Nowra, the Through Life Support facilities consist of an 8,300-square-meter (89,000 square feet) Maintenance Repair Operation building to service the 24 helicopters and a warehouse of 3,100 square meters (33,000 square feet). The buildings are to be completed in early 2015.The facilities also will house representatives from Brisbane-based Sikorsky Helitech (which specializes in helicopter aftermarket support), Lockheed Martin Australia (mission systems and avionics), and General Electric (engines).While NAS Nowra personnel will perform day-to-day operational maintenance on the MH-60R fleet, MHSCo’s Through Life Support facilities will be responsible for a higher level of maintenance at periodic intervals. Aircraft will be inducted for scheduled and unscheduled depot level airframe maintenance, or deeper level maintenance, as it is known in Australia.MHSCo also will carry out logistics and inventory management of spares and repaired parts; house ground support equipment; provide periodic helicopter and component maintenance; install aircraft upgrades and modifications; and conduct a full strip and repaint of aircraft.MH-60R helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky and mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin formed MHSCo in 2000 to respond to the U.S. Navy’s need for a single point of contract for hundreds of helicopter parts from multiple suppliers. Today, MHSCo supplies more than 1,300 different components for five U.S. Navy H-60 helicopter types, at high efficiency levels.Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin have delivered to the U.S. Navy a total of 185 (of 280) MH-60R aircraft for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. To date, the Royal Australian Navy has received four completed MH-60R aircraft, as part of a Commonwealth/U.S. Government agreement, contracted in 2011.The Royal Australian Navy’s first eight MH-60R helicopters will transition with their aircrews from the training site in Jacksonville, Fla., to NAS Nowra beginning in late 2014. At that time, MHSCo’s current staff of 30 employees will have grown to more than 70 employees.Sikorsky Helitech is overseeing construction of the MHSCo Through Life Support facilities and associated infrastructure by Jones Lang LaSalle, which is contracted to complete the work to meet the latest national and international standards for health and safety.Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its parent company, United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.Lockheed Martin Australia, headquartered in Canberra, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global security and aerospace company. LM Australia specialises in the development, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company employs more than 900 people in Australia and New Zealand working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning potential production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans or availability of funding or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.(Sikorsky)

30 Maret 2014

Samsung Thales (STC) formally announced the development an AESA radar for FA-50 to compete with LIG Nex1's AESA radar model (photo : SamsungThales)

MANILA, (PNA) -- The Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to install equipment that would give the F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" a "beyond visual range" (BVR) capability.BVR is the capability to detect, track and if needed attack air targets beyond 20 nautical miles (around 37 kilometers).DND Assistant Secretary Patrick Velez said that this is one of the upgrades they are planning to make the F/A-50 a much more capable aircraft in defending the country's airspace.But due to the cost, estimated at P800 million to P1 billion per BVR fitting, not all 12 aircraft will be fitted."We are looking at the possible installation for three to four aircraft to provide us with a long range intercept capability," Velez said.He added that installing BVR capability to the F/A-50s is relatively simple as the aircraft is already fitted with a decent air-to-air radar.Adjusting it to BVR standards would just mean upgrading the radar to be capable of detection at much longer range and fitting of BVR weapons like the Raytheon AIM-7 "Sparrow" missile.The Philippines and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. signed the P18.9-billion contract for the acquisition of the 12 aircraft last Friday.DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said that the first two F/A-50 jet aircraft will be delivered 18 months after the opening of the letter of credit; the next two will be delivered 12 months later, and the remaining eight jet planes in staggered basis within eight months.The F/A-50 has a top speed of Mach 1.5 or one-and-a-half times the speed of sound and is capable of being fitted with air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air and heat-seeking missiles aside from light automatic cannons.The F/A-50 will act as the country's interim fighter until the Philippines get enough experience of operating fast jet assets and money to fund the acquisition of more capable fighter aircraft.The F/A-50 design is largely derived from the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.The aircraft can carry two pilots seating in tandem. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 feet), and the airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons) -- five in the fuselage and two in the wings.An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.Trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.The F/A-50 "Fighting Eagle" uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and KAI.The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an after-burner.The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5.Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with after-burner. (PNA)

First and second submarines of Vietnamese Navy : HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh (photo : tuoitre)Six Vietnamese Navy's Kilo 636.1 will not equipped with VA-111 Shkval super torpedo as people have speculated previously.

Kilo Vietnam will not use super torpedo compartment VA-111 Shkval as previously rumored. Instead, in 2009, Vietnam has decided to buy two types of Russian anti-submarine torpedoes, anti-ship 53-65 and anti-submarine torpedoes TEST 71.The information above has been Research Institute Stockholm International Peace (SIPRI) revealed on 17/3.

According to SIPRI, the two torpedo 53-65 and TEST 71 will be combined with the type of anti-ship cruise missiles 3M-54 Klub to form a trio of powerful offensive weapon for the diesel-electric submarines of the Vietnamese Navy's Kilo 636.1 submarines.

All three main weapons on this Kilo Vietnam have been ordered since 2009 as part of a deal to buy six Kilo-class submarines, and are expected to be completed in 2016.

Type 53-65 is considered quite modern torpedoes, are able to detect and attack targets at 19 km distances(photo : weaponsystems)SIPRI's report showed that Vietnam has ordered a total of 50 in anti-ship cruise missiles launched from submarines 3M-54 Klub, 80 anti-ship torpedo 53-65 and 80 anti-ship/anti-submarine TEST-71 torpedo. In 2013, Vietnam received respectively 10, 15 and 15 units for every type of modern weapons.

Kilo class submarines are designed 636.1 has six 533 mm torpedo tubes at the front, allowing reporters are all kinds of key offensive weapons, including anti-ship 53-65 torpedoes, TEST-71 anti-ship/anti-submarine torpedo and Klub cruise missiles.Type 53-65 or 53-65 is guided torpedo sonar, is designed based on the previous generation torpedoes Type 53-61. The export version is called 53-65KE used exclusively to combat surface ships. 533 mm diameter torpedo, length 7.2 m, weight of 2.070 kg and equipment weighing up to 300 kg warhead.Type 53-65 reached 12 km ranged attacks while moving at speeds 125 km/h and moving speed 83 km/h of 18 km (53-65K variant reaches 19 km and 53-65M up to 22 km). As predicted, Vietnam will buy the Type 53-65K variant torpedo.

TEST-71 is homing torpedoes and heavier wires rather than the type of TEST 68 - wire-guided torpedoes first lead of the Soviet Union. TEST-71 owns many advantages, such as longer range, heavier warhead and can attack targets at greater depths.

Torpedo TEST-71M-NK with range 20 km will equip for Vietnamese Navy's Kilo (photo : alrosa)In addition to the initial prototype, was developed TEST-71 4 variant is more TEST 71M, TEST 71MK, TEST 71ME-NK and TEST 3. Among them, only variations TEST 71ME-NK is capable of versatile attack (both surface ships and submarines), therefore, there is high possibility this is also the variant torpedo TEST 71 Vietnamese Navy subscribe to Kilo.

TEST-71ME-NK has 533 mm diameter, 7.93 m long, weight 1.820 kg; warhead weighs 205 kg and has a great advantage is equipped with 2 fuses different: it needs to target (acoustics and magnetic field) and hit explosion. Torpedo operations are controlled by wireless remote, semi-active probes and transducers for sonar target detection range up to 1.5 km.TEST-71ME-NK propulsion system is equipped with 2 dual propeller, 48km/h cruise speed and increased to 74 km/h in the final stages, 20 km long range attack at a depth of up to 400m.Also 2 torpedo attack on the key, Vietnamese Kilo also will be equipped with cruise missiles, most powerful and now most modern in Russia the 3M-54 Klub. According to the SIPRI Vietnam received 50/80 missiles.

Two torpedo TEST 71 and 53-65 combined with 3M-54 Klub missiles with range 200 km, constitute the 3 perfect weapon for Vietnamese Kilo (photo : ausairpower)3M-54E missiles has 8.22 m long, 0.53 m diameter, weight 2.300 kg, fitted armor piercing warhead weighs 200 kg explosive fragmentation. Rocket can reach cruising speed of Mach 2.9 (nearly 3 times faster the speed of sound), a range of 200 km.3M-54E probe integrated navigation ARGS-54 active radar target detection is of nearly 60 km. That is the way target range of 60 km, the rocket ammo will automatically detect, catch and target key grip without interference from the launch vehicle.A range, fly super fast speed, complex flight trajectory, bullet 3M-54E missiles is considered one of the assassins kill leading warship.As can be seen, 636.1 Kilo Vietnam Navy is equipped with a system of powerful weapons and modern. With 6 submarines completed after 2016.Vietnamese Navy will have the most modern fleet submarine in the region, it represents an orca as Kilo briskly hidden escape the black hole in the ocean, fired and ready to fight to defend sovereignty islands of the country.(BaoDatViet)

Canada’s aerospace sector workers to benefit from two-year contract to the Philippines (photo : Mark Kyst)Export Win for Canadian Aerospace CompanyThe Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today announced that Canada has signed a US$105-million contract with the Philippines to supply eight specialized helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.The contract was negotiated under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Philippines’ Department of National Defense. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the MOU during his visit to the Philippines in November 2012.Facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation, the Government of Canada’s international government-to-government contracting organization, the eight helicopters will be manufactured at Bell Helicopter’s Mirabel, Quebec, plant over the next two years, solidifying Quebec’s reputation for excellence in aircraft manufacturing and services.Aerospace is a priority sector under Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan.Quick FactsAs one of Canada’s largest exporters, the Canadian aerospace industry exports nearly 80 percent of its products.Canadian exports of aircraft, aircraft engines and aircraft parts reached a near-record high of $10.8 billion in 2013, a 5.4 percent increase from the year before.Canada’s aerospace industry comprises more than 700 companies of all sizes from coast to coast and employs more than 170,000 Canadians.In 2012-13, the Canadian Commercial Corporation was active in 72 countries with more than 210 Canadian companies, signing contracts worth approximately $1 billion.Barry Kohler, President of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd :“For 28 years, Bell Helicopter has been the only domestic helicopter original-equipment manufacturer in Canada. Our 2,000 employees have produced over 4,300 helicopters at our Mirabel facility and have been a crucial part of both Bell’s commercial manufacturing strategy and the Canadian aerospace industry. We appreciate the Government of Canada’s assistance in supporting our export opportunities and winning this contract.”.(Government of Canada)

29 Maret 2014

The Army’s new Australian Light Armoured Vehicle. (photo : Army News, Finmeccanica)After rigorous testing, the new Australian Light Armoured Vehicle surveillance variant, ALSAV-S, has been shown to significantly improve Army’s Cavalry operations.The new vehicles tested during Exercise Kosta River in late March 2014, conducted at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.Commanding Officer of 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) Lieutenant Colonel Ash Collingburn said the vehicles were yet another tool in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance toolbox.

“The new vehicles are a game changer; the new capability they provide changes the way we think about Cavalry operations,” Lieutenant Colonel Collingburn said.Exercise Kosta River, was a training opportunity for surveillance troops, providing the chance to put the new vehicles through their paces.“We’re learning as we go,” Lieutenant Colonel Collingburn said.

“We have some very smart junior Non Comissioned Officers and soldiers in the surveillance troop and they are quickly learning about the limitations and realising the full potential of the capability.”Equipped with the Multispectral Surveillance Suite of equipment including a ground surveillance radar, thermal camera and day camera, the vehicles are capable of laser designating targets and can penetrate the tree canopy thanks to its raiseable mast.This equipment now allows the surveillance troops to screen over greater distances than they have previously been able to with traditional Cavalry vehicles.

Crew Commander Corporal Daniel Cameron leads one of the vehicles and said the first time he saw the system in his training he thought it was amazing.“You could see everything,” he said. “It makes you think harder now as a crew commander on where to position the vehicle to get the full potential out of the system.”Corporal Cameron said the field trial had been going well. “Like anything there are always some teething issues with new equipment but the training we’re doing here is good in order to test it properly,” he said.(Aus DoD)

Elbit Systems Athos 155mm howitzer (photo : behance)MANILA, Philippines -- Elbit Systems Land and C41, a defense material manufacturer based in Israel, won the bid to supply the Army more than P368 million worth of artillery, a source privy to the bidding said.“Elbit offers P368,837,332 for 12 pieces of 155 Howitzer canons with accessories and ammunition,” beating Bosnian firm BNT, the source said.The second conference that concluded with the choosing of the winning bid was held in Camp Aguinaldo.The defense department’s Bids and Awards Committee for the project is led by Assistant Secretary Efren Fernandez.Elbit offered its Athos howitzer system.Bids for the contract were opened on December 5 last year, following a pre-bid conference on November 22.(Interaksyon)

Launching ceremony of the HQ-185 Khanh Hoa submarine (photo : BaoDatViet)(VOV) - A Project 636 Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarine, HQ-185 Khanh Hoa, was floated out at St. Petersburg –based Admiralty Verfi shipyard on March 28.This is the fourth Project 636 submarine Russia has designed and built for Vietnam under a contract signed in 2009 during a Moscow visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.Under the contract, Russia will build six submarines, dubbed as Black Holes in the Ocean by NATO, and the first two vessels, HQ-182 Hanoi and HQ-183 Ho Chi Minh City, have been handed over to Vietnam.The third, HQ-184 Haiphong, is being given a test run at Admiralty Verfi shipyard, and is scheduled to be transported to the Vietnam People’s Navy this summer.Sources says the Varshavyanka-class (Project 636), an improved version of the Kilo-class submarines, features advanced stealth technology, extended combat range and provides the ability to strike land, surface and underwater targets.Designed for anti-ship and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters, the submarines can cruise underwater at a speed of 20k and has a cruising range of 400 miles.(Voice of Vietnam)

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Emmanuel Bautista looks at a miniature model of an FA-50 fighter jet after the signing of an agreement between the Department of National Defense and Korea Aerospace Industries on Friday. The deal involves around US$528 million worth of military aircraft and support services. (photo : ABS-CBN News)Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a $420 million (450 billion won) contract Friday to export a dozen FA-50 light attack aircraft to the Philippines.In a signing ceremony, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) CEO Oh Young-ho inked the deal that will deliver the first batch of jets late next year. The delivery is expected to be completed by 2017.As the transaction is signed under a government-to-government deal, KOTRA participated in the signing on behalf of KAI because the agency is in charge of the Korean government’s commercial transactions.“The deal with the Philippines, following one with Iraq last year, is boosting confidence that Korea is competitive in the fighter market,” KAI CEO Ha Sung-yong said.With the deal, KAI has put the second Southeast Asian country on its customer list.It has sold 16 T-50 supersonic trainers to Indonesia, 40 KT-1 basic trainers to Turkey and 20 KT-1s to Peru. It also signed with Iraq to sell 24 FA-50s in December.KAI believes a series of sales will contribute to the Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province-based firm, establishing itself as a competitive presence in the market for lower-priced fighters.“Traveling around the world to market our products, we have found the status of Korean aircraft going up,” the company head said. “We are now focusing on manufacturing high-performance planes (to continue the upturn).”In the competition, the KAI product beat Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen, Israel Aircraft Industries’ Kfir and F-16 as well as BAE Systems’ Hawk-128, Russian Yakovlev’s Yak-130 and Czech aircraft producer Aero Vodochody’s L-159, according to the Korean firm.The two sides were closing in on the deal last year after the Manila government signed a memorandum of understanding, but the decision was delayed after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Southeast Asian country in November.However, President Park Geun-hye asked for cooperation from Philippine President Benigo Aquino III in October, when they agreed to expand cooperation in defense and economy in Seoul.KAI is set to try to continue the winning vibe in its sales pitch for other countries including Botswana, the United Arab Emirates and eventually the United States.In the U.S. Air Force’s trainer program, codenamed “T-X,” aimed at replacing its fleet of T-38s, the U.S. side plans to purchase 350 new aircraft worth billions of dollars.In the U.S. competition, KAI, teaming up with U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, is expected to compete with a BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman consortium and one combining Boeing and Saab Group.KAI and Lockheed jointly developed the T-50 supersonic trainer and the FA-50 is a light combat version of the T-50.The FA-50 can carry a weapons load of up to 4.5 tons and can be armed with a wide range of weapon systems including AIM-9 sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 air-to-ground tactical missiles and GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), which allows the aircraft to counter multiple threats. Its maximum speed is Mach 1.5.The FA-50, first unveiled in January 2006, was developed in Korea as a possible replacement for the Air Force’s F-5E/F when the aging fighters are retired.(KoreaTimes)